[2] The same shallow potential well for bending is observed in the isoelectronic species bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene)methane, Ph3P=C=PPH3, as well as the more distantly related molecule carbon suboxide, O=C=C=C=O.

Using salt metathesis reactions, nitrite, azide, and other small inorganic anions can be obtained with [(Ph3P)2N]+ cations.

Its effectiveness is partially attributable to its rigidity, reflecting the presence of six phenyl rings.

Illustrative [(Ph3P)2N]+ salts of reactive anions include [(Ph3P)2N]+[HFe(CO)4]−, [(Ph3P)2N]+[Co(CO)4]−, ([(Ph3P)2N]+)2[M2(CO)10]2+ (M = Cr, Mo, W), and [(Ph3P)2N]+[Fe(CO)3(NO)]−.

[1] The role of ion pairing in chemical reactions is often clarified by examination of the related salt derived from [(Ph3P)2N]+.